There is an old story of an elderly man who always carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and when he would go through a door that squeaked, he would squirt a little oil on the hinges. If he encountered a gate that was hard to open, he would oil the latch.

And so he went through life, lubricating all the difficult places, making it easier for all those who came after him. People called the man eccentric, strange, and crazy, but he went steadily on, often refilling his can of oil when it was nearly empty, and oiling all the difficult places he found.

In this world, there are many lives that painfully creak and grate as they go about their daily work. Often it seems that nothing goes right with them and that they need lubricating with “the oil of joy” (Ps. 45:7), gentleness, or thoughtfulness.

Do you carry your own can of oil with you? Are you ready with your oil of helpfulness each morning? If you offer your oil to the person nearest you, it may just lubricate the entire day for him. Your oil of cheerfulness will mean more than you know to someone who is downhearted. Or the oil may be a word of encouragement to a person who is full of despair. Never fail to speak it, for our lives may touch others only once on the road of life, and then our paths may diverge, never to meet again.

The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable, ready to receive the redeeming grace of the Savior. A pleasant word is a bright ray of sunshine on a saddened heart. Therefore give others the sunshine and tell Jesus the rest.

We cannot know the grief

That men may borrow;

We cannot see the souls

Storm-swept by sorrow;

But love can shine upon the way

Today, tomorrow;

Let us be kind.

Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken,

So may our love with tender words be spoken.

Let us be kind.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Romans 12:10

December 10

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:6–7)

Are there some people in your circle of friends to whom you naturally go in times of trials and sorrow—people who always seem to say just the right words and who give you the very counsel you so desire? If so, you may not realize the high cost they have paid to become so skilled at binding up your gaping wounds and drying your tears. Yet if you were to investigate their past, you would find they have suffered more than most other people.

They have watched the silver cord on which the lamp of life hung slowly unravel. They have seen the golden bowl of joy smashed at their feet, and its contents spilled. They have experienced raging tides, withering crops, and darkness at high noon, but all this has been necessary to make them into the nurses, physicians, and ministers of others.

Cartons containing spices from the Orient may be cumbersome to ship and slow in coming, but once they arrive the beautiful fragrances fill the air. In the same way, suffering is trying and difficult to bear, but hiding just below its surface is discipline, knowledge, and limitless possibilities. Each of these not only strengthens and matures us but also equips us to help others. So do not worry or clench your teeth, simply waiting with stubborn determination for the suffering to pass. Instead, be determined to get everything you can from it, both for yourself and for the sake of those around you, according to the will of God. selected

We need MORE Evangelists

Once you begin sharing the Good News as an evangelist we'd like you to encourage MORE women to join you as an evangelist, by submitting a PR praise report: either a longer PR for the Encourager or a shorter 50 Word Praise Report sharing what you found and who you've helped!

We are excited to open a brand NEW and also one of the most IMPORTANT facets of being a minister—becoming an Evangelist!

For years we've been unable simply keep up with women (and men) who found us by using a search engine, until now. It wasn’t until late in 2014 that He began to show us how to get ready to “advertise” knowing it would mean seeking His wisdom to be able to handle a huge amount of desperate women who were sent to us.

Thankfully, His word is the same yesterday, today and forever and HE did say to GO into the world, GO and make disciples (or followers) in ALL the nations—which is what you are being called to do!

Mark 16: 15-16—“And I [Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel, the Good News, to the whole creation.”

Matthew 28: 18-20

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has-been Given to me. Go and make disciples THEREFORE of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have Commanded you.’”

And finally He asks in Isaiah 6:8 “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”

So now we ask each of you to read, listen to His voice, then answer the Lord in your heart...

Isaiah 6:8—

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

What does it mean to be a minister? What’s the difference between a minister and an evangelist?

Ministers are called to care for the needs of all people.

Pastors are called to teach and guide the flock of believers.

Evangelists are called to enlarge the numbers of the church or followers of the Lord by going out to find the distressed and people in need of a Savior.

How important is spreading the Good News?

How important was it to you to find there was hope and peace after your husband left you or you found out he'd been unfaithful?

In the news just this week it told of a wife who confronted her husband when she found texts from an OW. When he didn’t deny it she decided to hurt her husband in the most shocking way: she shot her 6 year-old son while he was sleeping then turned the gun on herself. Sadly for her, she didn't die and is now paralyzed, and now is serving a 20 year prison sentence!!

Shockingly this is just one crazed woman and this type of horrific reaction is happening to hundreds of women every day, in this country and around the world. And it's not a new phenomena.

Years ago my sister-in-law pointed out a house while I was visiting her in California. She said that the huge and beautiful mansion was empty after a horrible tragedy happened there: a young mother found her husband was involved with an OW, so she killed all five of their young boys before taking her own life. Having wealth and married to a powerful attorney, her note said she couldn't handle what she feared she and her sons would live through.

Become an Evangelist!

Esther 4:14—

“And who knows whether you have not attained position for such a time as this?"

Whether or not you've found peace or if you're still searching, reaching out to others who are crying out to God will change your life!